Ars Gratia Artis

An Experiment in Fiction by J. Chris Lawrence

Agoraphobe’s Lament: Season Two

For those following my Tumblr, I’ve been behind on posting here. But the second season of Agoraphobe’s Lament has gone live, and is now three episodes in. So, here are the links. I even put them in order. You can thank me later.

Episode 1: A Dark Deal Indeed

Episode 2: When Fate Comes a Knockin’

Episode 3: Then Along Came Muffles 

Return of the Functionally Dead

Have you watched the news lately?

In Florida, a nude man growls, devouring the face of another while the police gaze on in horror. They fire upon the man, yet he does not stop, and still they fire more. Finally, the atrocity ends, leaving the world awash in numb disbelief and a flurry of excited posts about a coming Zombie Apocalypse.

Then, reports of other acts of cannibalism arose. There came talk of Bath Salts, a new cheap drug that offers all the highs a cheap drug can, with the minimal side effect of a craving for human flesh.

America has descended into madness, half denying this horrible reality, the other half stocking shotgun shells, water and Mapquesting their nearest mall.

Even the United States Government had to step in, to keep the populace calm. But Americans are not stupid. We know that anytime the government says it’s not true, it must be!

Soon, it will be all out Bedlam.

I have it on good authority that on Monday, the Eleventh of June, the most aggregation act of man yet will occur. A terrible act that will make of these events the thing of flowers and kittens. When it comes, there will be no turning back.

Come this Monday, Agoraphobe’s Lament returns.

May God have mercy on us all.

Well, except for Fiasco. I mean, that’s the asshole that started all of this. He’s gotta die.

11 months ago - 1

An Update of the Other Side

I’m excited to announce that The podcast for “The Widow’s Tale” (one of my better publications) went live today, read by the talented Folly Blaine! If you haven’t caught some of my other work outside of Agoraphobe’s Lament, this is a good place to start. You can listen to Folly’s portrayal of my widow scorned and check out her most recent works in the links below.

The Widow’s Tale

Folly’s Website

Dark Tales of Lost Civilizations (anthology featuring Folly’s work)

Taking the Wind (Folly’s most recent publication)

Agoraphobe's Lament, Season Finale

Will Mack willingly take the life of the Lord of Geekdom in the name of God? Find out in the season finale of Agoraphobe’s Lament.

1 year ago

Hella Sydney with a Hella Shout out

Here’s an awesome shout out from Hella Sydney, where she showers Agoraphobe’s Lament in glitter. Oh, and compliments too. Check it out! And when you’re done with that, check out her blog too. She casts a hilarious tone on all things Sydney (and some things not). 



1 year ago

Swaim (Seriously): We Know Darkness

seriousswaim:

Who are we to doubt the truth?

While trees sing green

And feed on summer storms?



Who are we to suffer?

While waves make moan,

Bereaved of lesser wards?



How can we know lonesomeness?

While mountains sound

Their trumpets in support?



How can we know darkness?

While the…

Some excellent poetry from Michael Swaim.

1 year ago - 20

Agoraphobe's Lament: The Dark Secret of Dr. Fiasco

It’s live! Discover the dark secret of Dr. Fiasco, and the contest winners in this week’s episode of Agoraphobe’s Lament!

1 year ago - 1

Flash Fiction Chronicles String-of-10 FOUR contest

Hey everyone! I’m excited to announce that, while I did not win, my story “In dreams” made Semi-Finalist in the Flash Fiction Chronicles String-of-10 FOUR contest. I’m proud of this piece, and definitely plan to see where else I can take it from here. 

Congrats to all the winners! I look forward to reading the winning works when they go live.

Contest: "People Are Strange..."

The new contest is up! Drop over and suggest some ideas for what kind of uncanny freak-show you’d like to see our agoraphobic protagonist encounter in next week’s episode! The winners’ ideas will be fleshed out in prose, much to the chagrin of our hero.

1 year ago

Agoraphobe's Lament: Anger Management

The new episode is live! See the results of “When Shotguns simply Won’t Do…” and what happens next, in “Anger Management”!


1 year ago